Changes

Focus for his overthrow centred on the exiled Henry [[Tudor]], Earl of [[Richmond]], whose claim to the throne was shaky at best, but had the backing of the [[Welsh]], growing support in England, and was possessed of qualities of  leadership and political skills that would see his prevail now and in the future. Henry landed in Wales on 7th of August 1485. The two sides met at [[Battle of Bosworth|Bosworth Field]] in [[Leicestershire]] on 22nd of August, and, although enjoying initial superiority in numbers, the decision of a key supporter to change sides in mid-battle gave the advantage to Henry and Richard died leading an assault on Henry’s position. His death ended the [[Plantagenet]] dynasty. Henry assumed the throne as the [[Tudor Dynasty|Tudor]] [[Henry VII]].

Focus for his overthrow centred on the exiled Henry [[Tudor]], Earl of [[Richmond]], whose claim to the throne was shaky at best, but had the backing of the [[Welsh]], growing support in England, and was possessed of qualities of  leadership and political skills that would see his prevail now and in the future. Henry landed in Wales on 7th of August 1485. The two sides met at [[Battle of Bosworth|Bosworth Field]] in [[Leicestershire]] on 22nd of August, and, although enjoying initial superiority in numbers, the decision of a key supporter to change sides in mid-battle gave the advantage to Henry and Richard died leading an assault on Henry’s position. His death ended the [[Plantagenet]] dynasty. Henry assumed the throne as the [[Tudor Dynasty|Tudor]] [[Henry VII]].

Much of posterity has not been kind to Richard III. The Tudor propaganda machine, already active during his short reign was relentless in depicting him as a murderous and misshapen villain. This was to culminate in [[Shakespeare’s depiction of him, over 120 years after his death, as the evil hunchback. (Contemporary accounts describe him as slight and not particularly tall with one shoulder higher than the other, but there is no mention of deformity.) There can be no doubt of his ruthlessness, but taken within the context of the age, the executions of Earl Rivers and others he considered dangerous to his cause are not out of the ordinary. There is no evidence that he ordered the deaths of the Princes in the Tower, although it must be considered as a possibility. The earlier death of Henry VI, even if he can be blamed (and there is no evidence at all for his involvement) has a precedent in the usurpation and murder of [[Richard II]] in 1400, events that paved the way in the minds of men for subsequent villainy.   

Much of posterity has not been kind to Richard III. The Tudor propaganda machine, already active during his short reign was relentless in depicting him as a murderous and misshapen villain. This was to culminate in [[Shakespeare’s depiction of him, over 120 years after his death, as the evil hunchback. (Contemporary accounts describe him as slight and not particularly tall with one shoulder higher than the other, but there is no mention of deformity.) There can be no doubt of his ruthlessness, but taken within the context of the age, the executions of Earl Rivers and others he considered dangerous to his cause are not out of the ordinary. There is no evidence that he ordered the deaths of the Princes in the Tower, although it must be considered as a possibility. The earlier death of Henry VI, even if he can be blamed (and there is no evidence at all for his involvement) has a precedent in the usurpation and murder of [[Richard II]] in 1400, events that paved the way in the minds of men for subsequent villainy.   

[[Category: English History]]

[[Category: English History]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Richard 3}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Richard 3}}

{{Nb_english_monarchs}}

{{Nb_english_monarchs}}